Iran’s Supreme Leader has declared victory over his foes with Sunday’s gatherings for the 39th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.

Ayatollah Khamenei said, “The grandeur of your demonstration today, which according to accurate estimates was more crowded than previous years, gave a firm and crushing response to foreigners and enemies and those with a weak resolve.” He proclaimed that those enemies, “based on their flawed conception of Iran and Iranians”, had tried to make the rallies “devoid of energy and even turn it against itself”, but had failed:

You showed off to them the liveliness and dynamism of the revolution in practice and shouted out your commitment to the ideals of the late Imam [Ayatollah Kh through your slogans and your warm presence….

The future belongs to our vigilant and foresighted nation and we officials must try not to lag behind.

Relying on their distorted & false perceptions of Iran & Iranians, the enemies had spent all their propaganda efforts on trying to turn this year's revolution celebration frigid or probably anti-revolution. You've exhibited the livelihood & dynamism of the revolution in practice.

Iranian State outlets put out their standard declaration of “millions” of Iranians on streets across the country, with “hundreds of thousands” in Tehran’s Azadi Square to hear speeches from political and military leaders.

President Hassan Rouhani emphasized co-operation, amid economic concerns and recent nationwide protests: “I request that the 40th year of the revolution, the coming year, be the year of unity. I ask principlists, reformists, moderates and all parties and all people to come and be together.”

About The Author

Scott Lucas is Professor of International Politics at the University of Birmingham and editor-in-chief of EA WorldView. He is a specialist in US and British foreign policy and international relations, especially the Middle East and Iran. Formerly he worked as a journalist in the US, writing for newspapers including the Guardian and The Independent and was an essayist for The New Statesman before he founded EA WorldView in November 2008.